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5 Principles for Physical Excellence and Tranquility of Mind

In life, there is no more painful a curse, than to be on poor terms with yourself. Also note that such a curse is self-inflicted through the neglect of what I believe to be the two foundational requirements for exceptional living.

They are:

1. Vitality of body.

My definition of which is one that is free from all ailments as far as practicable. A body that requires little but offers much, is resilient and spirited. A healthy body is not just absent ill-health, but vigorous.

2. Tranquility of mind.

Tranquility of mind (a concept I first learned from reading the works of the Ancient Greek philosopher Democritus) is what the Greeks called “euthymia”:

“A mind that is well-disposed to itself, happy in its own condition, and can bear its own company. A mental state that follows a smooth and unwavering course and is not interrupted with false excitements or depressions.”

Everything is as your thoughts make them so. No external pleasures can override the deep lack brought about by a lack of confidence and satisfaction with oneself.

These two criterions are, unmistakably, unattainable. Ideals are not meant to be obtained, only pursued, for it is the pursuit, not the obtainment that matters. Do not judge success on whether or not you ever reach such a pinnacle, but rather, who you become in your quest. Should anyone ever achieve either of these two states, I suppose that’d make them a sage. Such people seem to be as prevalent as unicorns.

The 5 Principles for Exceptional Living:

1. Eat Less and Move More

Over production of insulin, from a high eating frequency, is slowly cooking America to death. Combine that with a sedentary lifestyle and you’ve discovered the function for accelerated aging.

On the contrary, short intense exercise combined with fasting keeps the mind and the body biologically young.

Do not overcomplicate the matter as most do. You do not need a strict exercise regimen or dietary protocol to achieve physical excellence.

Abstain from food during the day, move around often and sporadically (sprint, push, pull, crawl, roll, squat, etc), and consume the vast majority of your calories in the evening.

2. Read Often

Words are nourishment for the mind. Make it a habit to read every day. But avoid the trash. While you may find a penny in a garbage can, there are much better places to look for something of value.

A book is only worth reading if it challenges you intellectually, and encourages you to reach and pull yourself up to a higher level of enlightenment. I doubt you’ll receive any such courtesy from the Twilight series.

Here are my three personal favorite non-fiction works that I reference almost daily:

How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler

The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White

Psyco-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

3. Do Nothing Some of the Time

I challenge you, starting tomorrow, to do nothing for ten minutes every day. As I did on my first attempt, you will find this meditative drill to be exceptionally difficult. The objective is to be only in the present. Do not let your mind wander into the future, or regress to the past.

In today’s crowded society, meditation has fallen to the wayside. People have grown uncomfortable in solitude, and often seek out company not because they need it, but because they cannot bear their own.

Learning to find comfort in your own mind takes time, practice, and consistency, but yields deep feelings of self-satisfaction and serenity. Nothing works better than doing nothing for resetting the mind. Ten minutes a day is all I’m asking.

4. Keep a Few Good Friends and Avoid Contamination

You become the average of the five people you hang out with most—isn’t that what they say?

Nobody is perfect, so when pursuing friendship, I encourage you to seek out the “least bad”.

Disease starts when you mix the healthy with the sick. So avoid those who spend their time compla
ining, whining, and lamenting. Their intentions may be all well and good, but their negativity is infectious.

Also avoid people who preface their sentences with statements such as “can I be honest with you”, or “can I tell you the truth?” What the hell are these people getting at anyways? Such pretenses are unnecessary to people who are genuinely sincere, and indicative of those who are only conditionally honest.

5. Find a Purpose

What makes it worth being born?

What causes joy in being numbered amongst the living?

What makes it all worth the hustle—the trial, the tears, the sweat?

The answer, I deeply believe, is finding a purpose in life. There is no greater return to be had than from dedicating your time to something greater than yourself.

To this end, I believe that everybody should have a little PMS. That’s a personal mission statement, mind you. Developing a personal mission statement takes time and deep thought, but will offer your life clarity, impetus, and fulfillment.

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